2022 Honda Pilot Sport vs 2022 Honda Pilot EXL

July 25th, 2022 by

The 2022 Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV available in seven trims. New for this year, Honda adds the Sport as the base trim, taking away the LX and EX trims and making the EX-L the next step up in grade. If you’d like to compare the first two 2022 Honda Pilot trim levels, our team at Honda of Cleveland Heights has created this guide for everything you need to know about the 2022 Honda Pilot Sport versus the EX-L.

Overview of the 2022 Honda Pilot

For 2022, Honda equips a 3.5-liter V-6 engine in all Pilot trims. The V-6 gets a maximum of 280 horsepower and pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission featuring Honda’s shift-by-wire (SBW) and paddle-shift technology. The Pilot’s drivetrain comes standard in two-wheel drive, or you can upgrade both trims to the all-wheel-drive system. Each Pilot trim also equips MacPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension systems for enhanced ride performance.

The 2022 Honda Pilot offers a range of eight exterior colors, but five are available for the Sport, and six are available for the EX-L trim. The 2022 Honda Pilot includes a fin-type roof antenna and intermittent windshield wipers for all trim levels. LED low-beam headlights with an automatic on-off setting are available for the four lower trims.

The Pilot enhances your comfort and convenience with features like a 60/40 split- and flat-fold third-row bench seat, adjustable seatbelt anchors for the front row, adjustable head restraints, and one-touch second-row seats. A multi-functional center console and one-touch turn signal switches enhance your convenience for long and short drives. Other standard convenience features include a rear window defroster with timer settings, rear-seat heating, cargo area lighting, and cargo-area tie-down anchors.

Additionally, all Pilot trims include rear privacy glass, programmable remote entry, and smart entry with walk-away auto-lock technology to provide even more security wherever you travel. The HondaLink and CabinControl remote compatibility systems also come standard on the Pilot, and drivers get a complimentary subscription to SiriusXM with HD radio. Finally, the Honda Sensing System, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration features are standard across all Pilot trims.

2022 Honda Pilot Sport vs. Honda Pilot EX-L

The 2022 Honda Pilot Sport and EX-L trims share most standard exterior and interior features, but the EX-L gives you additional options to enhance your comfort and convenience. The base manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) for either trim reflects those differences. The Sport has a base MSRP of $38,080, while the EX-L starts at $40,310. That said, you’ll also notice specific differences in available equipment and features for both trims, including:

Exterior Style and Equipment

The Sport trim has several distinct features, including black roof rails, 20-inch alloy wheels, and gloss black heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Unlike the Sport, the EX-L comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels. The EX-L adds a power tailgate, a one-touch powered moonroof with tilting options, and body-colored heated exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, memory settings, and reverse-gear tilt-down modes.

Interior Comfort and Convenience

The Sport and EX-L feature a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power-controlled lumbar support and push-button start technology. On the Sport trim, cloth fabric seats and tri-zone automatic climate control with second-row settings keep everyone comfortable. The EX-L features leather-appointed seats with premium trim, a front passenger’s seat with four-way power controls, a two-position memory system for the driver’s seat, and exterior mirror memory.

Infotainment and Technology

Honda is generous with its technology and entertainment features. The Pilot Sport and EX-L trims feature standard entertainment technologies, like a seven-speaker sound system, radio data system, and speed-sensitive volume compensation. The front seating, center console, and cargo areas feature 12-volt power outlets, and you’ll also find an 8-inch high-resolution touch screen display with customizable settings.

The EX-L doesn’t need to add much in the infotainment and technology area since Honda equips the Pilot with many interior and exterior features. However, on the EX-L, you can get additional USB charging ports in the second row and integrated second-row sunshades. Also available to the EX-L is Honda’s HomeLink technology, which allows you to connect your Pilot to compatible entries and home security systems.

Safety and Security

If you’re looking for enhanced safety and security, both the Pilot Sport and EX-L have you covered. All the Pilot trims equip the Honda Sensing safety technology, including the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. Driver assistance technologies include the Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor and automatic high beams.

Active safety features on the Sport and EX-L include a multi-angle rearview camera, Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Tire Fill Assist. Passive safety technologies give you Honda’s SmartVent front-side airbags, rear-seat LATCH restraints, and child-proof rear door locks.

Additional Features

The 2022 Honda Pilot gives drivers a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when equipped with the two-wheel-drive system. This capacity increases with the all-wheel-drive system, with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. Several packages are available for the Pilot, including Honda’s Protection Package, All-Season Protection I and II Packages, and the Cargo Protection Package.

Find Your New Pilot at Honda of Cleveland Heights

As you can see, it’s no surprise that the Pilot Sport and EX-L are often favorites among Honda shoppers. Even with the slight differences between both trims, you still have plenty of ways to enhance comfort, convenience, and safety. If you’re ready to see what it’s like to drive the Honda Pilot, contact us at Honda of Cleveland Heights to schedule a test drive.

We also have a large selection of used Honda models if you’re looking to trade in your current vehicle, and we offer several personalized financing options to fit your budget. Be sure to review our new vehicle specials, deals, and incentives to find out how you can save even more on your Pilot purchase.

Posted in 2022 Models